North America to account for half of X6 sales

[LeMansX5]

Despite rising fuel prices here, BMW sees the U.S. as the biggest market for its X6 crossover. The recently-announced X6 will be built at BMW's Spartanburg, SC assembly plant, with 40,000 units rolling out in its first year of production. The model's second biggest markets, Germany and the U.K., will account for 10 percent of the vehicle's sales.

The news comes from Friedrich Eichiner, BMW board member for corporate and brand development, in an Automotive News report.

"The U.S. is still the world's biggest SUV market. This is why we are confident the X6 will be a success," he said.

A hybrid version of the X6 will be powered by a 407 horsepower 4.4 liter V8 combined with an electric motor and promises to deliver 20 percent better fuel economy than the equivalent twin-turbo, 400hp, gas-powered car.

The same report revealed BMW plans to bring an X5 diesel to the U.S. later this year to gauge market potential, which could lead to a diesel X6 sold here. Europeans will have two diesel engine options.
The X6 will go on sale in the U.S. at the end of May, and will start at $52,500.